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New Devils Lake travel center hopes to catch Bakken-bound traffic

Devils Lake, ND (WDAZ TV) - A Devils Lake company is pouring more than eight million dollars into a new gas station and travel center on the eastern edge of town.

It will be the biggest business of its kind in the community.

The company behind this new travel center say too many truckers drive through Devils Lake without stopping. The goal is to get them to stop here, and spend money in the community.

The first wall is going up at the Farmer's Union gas station and travel center, A ten thousand square foot facility greeting travelers coming to Devils Lake.

Tom Haar/ Farmer’s Union CEO: “With all the growth that's been going around Devils Lake right now we thought it was a definite need.”

Farmer's Union Oil conducted a study, which said a truck stop would be a boost to the community.

Haar says, “It would be good to have one on each end of town, on the right hand side of the road.”

They went all in.

Todd: We have 12 gasoline islands and then we'll have ten diesel islands.

Adam: Unlike the other travel centers in towns, The station will have a trucker's lounge complete with showers.

Todd Hard/Build Superintendent: “This is the largest one I've ever worked on.”

Farmer's Union wants to take advantage of increased traffic driving out west to the oil fields.

Haar adds, “Capture more highway traffic that is going west to the Bakken, basically.”

Crews aren't just building a gas station here. Much of what they're working on will be underground. There was no infrastructure at the site prior to this project. Water and sewer pipes will start going into the ground tomorrow.

Adam Ladwig joined WDAZ as the Devils Lake bureau reporter in January, 2012. Prior to that he reported for KDUH-TV in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.Adam has won multiple awards during his time at WDAZ, including an Eric Sevareid award and a Regional Emmy Award as part of team coverage during the search for Anthony Kuznia. A Colorado native, Adam graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Journalism. He misses the Rocky Mountains, but the kind people of North Dakota more than make up for that. He is thrilled to be in the Lake Region, telling stories that matter.In his spare time, Adam is usually futilely attempting to get in shape, or cheering for his beloved Denver Broncos.